Understanding a Narakas Injury from our Portland Brachial Plexus Lawyer in Oregon
To understand what a Narakas injury is, one must understand a little about the nervous system. And our Portland brachial plexus lawyer knows that the human nervous system is extensive. It is also quite large. There are over 45 miles of nerves in the human body. The nerves are divided into two large groups. The central nervous system, which is the brain and the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which are the nerves that branch out from the central nervous system and work together to transmit signals. Within the peripheral nervous system, some nerves are sensory and some nerves are motor. Nerves are made of neurons, which are comprised of a body (with structures), axon, and dendrites. Together, it looks like a circle with a wire/root-covered tail. In the brain, there are over 100 billion neurons, with some estimates in the trillions.
Separating through all of that information, the main focus of this post is what a Narakas injury is and why are you hearing this information from a Portland brachial plexus lawyer. This is because a Narakas injury is a type of nerve injury to the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves which original from the spinal cord (central nervous system) and become part of the peripheral nervous system. These nerves are both sensory and motor. They originate in the cervical spine (neck) and extend through the shoulder and down the arm.
How to Brachial Plexus Injuries Occur?
Now knowing what we know about nerves, the peripheral nervous system, and the brachial plexus, we can discuss how brachial plexus nerve injuries occur. The honest trust is that they occur usually due to Oregon medical malpractice causing serious birth injuries. This is because birth injuries are due to the reckless, careless, and downright negligent conduct of a healthcare provider such as a doctor, nurse, technician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or any other treating provider.
The most common way that a brachial plexus nerve injury occurs (and therefore a Narakas injury) is due to excessive pulling, stretching, yanking, or otherwise exerting pressure on the arm and neck of a newborn. Essentially, brachial plexus nerve injuries occur when the baby’s arm is pulled through the birth canal. This causes stretching of the peripheral nerves which can even rip them right out of the central nervous system (avulsion). This is commonly done through improper use of extraction tools or just pulling too hard on the arm when the neck or shoulders are stuck.
What is a Narakas Injury?
Our Portland brachial plexus lawyer knows that a Narakas injury and brachial plexus injury are technically the same thing. However, the Narakas injury is derived from the scale which is used to measure the damage to the nerves. There are different groups of brachial plexus injuries which are quantified in the Narakas scale. Thus, when a treating providing says there is a brachial plexus injury or a Narakas injury, the provided is further classifying the brachial plexus injury more specifically.
This is because there are many different types of brachial plexus injuries. The nerves that come off of the central nervous system are coming from five vertebrae. Each “level” of vertebrae has a different nerve which has a different function as it progresses down the body. The nerves off of the vertebrae all comes together to form a bundle, but they are not going to be losing their identify. This means that the nerves are together but still separate and distinct. Thus, a brachial plexus nerve injury can only affect one branch of nerves within that bundle. This is why classification of Narakas injuries is important.
Four Groups of Narakas Injuries
A Narakas injury is classified into four groups. Our Portland brachial plexus injury lawyer in Oregon explains these four groups because it is important for victims and their families to know where they injury falls. The four groups are the following:
Group 1: Duchenne-Erb’s Palsy – This is a nerve injury to the highest vertebrae which make up the brachial plexus. This cases a loss of function and weakness in the deltoid and biceps which are at the top of the arm.
Group 2: Intermediate Paralysis – This is a nerve injury to the deltoid, biceps, wrist, and part of the fingers. The damage has progressed down the arm. The finger paralysis is only extension of the fingers, not flexing them.
Group 3: Total Brachial Plexus Palsy – This damage is through all layers of the brachial plexus which causes complete paralysis to the nerve. This means loss of sensation and motor function. This is a total or near-total paralysis and is very serious.
Group 4: Total Brachial Plexus Palsy With Horner’s Syndrome – The damage is not only like group 3, but it also results in paralysis to a person’s face. This is because it can create drooping under an eyelid, contracted pupil, or an inability to sweat on one side of the face. Horner’s Syndrome is both paralyzing and emotionally devastating because it is an obvious injury to the face.
Ask Our Portland Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer in Oregon if You Have a Narakas Injury
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
